1. High visibility vest(s)

A high visibility vest (one per passenger) must be carried inside the passenger compartment of your vehicle in case of a car breakdown.

Don’t dismiss this as a silly rule – the French police will stop British-registered vehicles to check they have the correct equipment for driving in France.

If you breakdown on the motorway or need to repair a puncture, make sure you wear it as soon as you step out of the vehicle or you could risk a hefty fine.

2. Warning triangle

Along with a high-vis vest for all of the car’s occupants, a warning triangle is a legal requirement in France.

Most modern cars now come with one fitted as standard, but don’t rely upon the manufacturer giving you one.

Always check if there’s one present in your car before you leave – it is an excellent way of warning traffic of your stranded vehicle ahead should you experience difficulty which will go along way to keeping you safe.

3. Spare bulbs

By law you’re also mandated to carry a spare bulb kit for your vehicle, should you have a failure.

While most motorists in the UK would get a broken bulb fixed as soon as possible, the French police deem it necessary to replace it there and then on the grounds of safety.

4. Headlight beam adjusters

Modern car’s headlights are set up to point towards the nearside – or kerbside – of the vehicle.

A right-hand drive car on the right-hand side of the carriage way means this could blind oncoming traffic at night.

Either adjust the angle of your headlights, or fit headlight beam adjusters to compensate and help improve safety by increasing visibility on the nearside.

5. Breathalyser kit

All drivers and motorcyclists will have to carry a personal breathalyser kit, with at least two disposable testing units.

The kits are relatively cheap and can be picked up for around five pounds or less – don’t go for a cheap internet item though, or if you do, make sure it meets NF standards (similar to BSI here in the UK).

Update - as of January 2013 the French government announced that the introduction of an €11 fine has been postponed indefinitely.

8. Child passengers

One to note, children under the age of 10 are not allowed to travel on the front seats of vehicles without using a special child restraint, unless there is no rear seat in the vehicle, or the rear seat is already occupied with children under 10, or there are no seat belts.

Babies up to nine months in a rear-facing child seat are an exception to the rule also.

9. Radar detectors

Radar detectors used to hunt out mobile speed guns are illegal in France and if you’re caught carrying one – even in the boot – you’ll be met by very strict punishment.

This is one transgression the French police don’t take kindly to and you leave yourself open to a minimum €2,000 fine if you break it.

10. Odd driving practices

Be mindful of old French driving customs, such as giving way to traffic making its way onto a roundabout.

In the most part, this tradition has died out, but some French motorists still abide by the former law, meaning they’ll dart out onto the traffic island without warning.

The important thing to remember is to be vigilant when driving in Europe if you’re heading out there this summer.

The traffic laws and conventions are different to that here in the UK so heightened concentration and careful planning will go a long way. Finally, it may sound simple but it often gets overlooked: make sure you drive on the right.